Post by LD on Feb 16, 2013 9:15:52 GMT -5

There won't be a return of the NHL Whalers any time soon, at least nothing until a new arena is built - or under construction anyway. No existing team or new franchise will go into the Civic Center and stay there indefinitely without a new arena. And I don't see the Civic Center being replaced any time in the near future. I'm not sure how much corporate investment there would be in financing the new arena, the city government is corrupt, and there (should/would) be massive resistance in taxpayer public financing of arena construction.

And the NHL still quite isn't ready to admit they screwed up putting so many teams in the southern part of the country. Look at the Phoenix area for example. Until some of those teams with poor attendance records get moved northward, Hartford won't see anything. And even then, they're probably behind places like Quebec City and Seattle.

Post by stratsg90 on Feb 16, 2013 10:49:52 GMT -5

There won't be a return of the NHL Whalers any time soon, at least nothing until a new arena is built - or under construction anyway. No existing team or new franchise will go into the Civic Center and stay there indefinitely without a new arena. And I don't see the Civic Center being replaced any time in the near future. I'm not sure how much corporate investment there would be in financing the new arena, the city government is corrupt, and there (should/would) be massive resistance in taxpayer public financing of arena construction.

And the NHL still quite isn't ready to admit they screwed up putting so many teams in the southern part of the country. Look at the Phoenix area for example. Until some of those teams with poor attendance records get moved northward, Hartford won't see anything. And even then, they're probably behind places like Quebec City and Seattle.

Well Gov. Milloy is currently looking into rebuilding the arena as early as next year. Also, the NHL has made it known that they plan to expand to 32 teams. Furthermore, the NHL has also made it clear that they do not wish to allow American teams to move to Canada. They have blocked several attempts at moving north of the boarder (yes I'm aware Atlanta moved to Winnipeg). I agree that Seattle is probably at the top of the list, but there are several teams that will need to move in the near future if they hope to survive.

Post by LD on Feb 16, 2013 11:02:29 GMT -5

Many of the efforts to move some team to Canada were blocked because of:1. Gary Bettman et al having a hatred of Jim Balsilee (sp.), the guy behind the Blackberry company, and his wanting to buy a team2. Plans to move a team to southern Ontario southwest of Toronto, usually around Hamilton or Kitchener - which infringes on Maple Leafs territory3. Gary Bettman just hating Canada for some reason4. Winnipeg only having a 15k seat arena, which was deemed "too small"5. The completely idiotic idea that pro hockey is still sustainable in places like Phoenix, Miami, Tampa, and Dallas.

Post by FatKeystone on Feb 16, 2013 15:03:53 GMT -5

As much as I think it would be awesome to have a franchise back in Hartford, I'm just not sure how well it'll be received. The team will probably have trouble drawing fans, with the Devils, Rangers, Islanders, and Bruins all nearby.

Post by LD on Feb 16, 2013 15:32:21 GMT -5

The most popular hockey team (since 1997) in Connecticut is the Rangers. The pull towards New York City is huge in terms of the state's culture and interest. MSG is found on TV nearly statewide. Most hockey fans are in the more affluent areas within southwestern Connecticut, which is closest to NY. The central part of the state, Hartford to New Haven, with the loss of the Whalers has slowly floated towards the Rangers.

The Bruins would be next, most popular in the eastern parts of the state closer to Boston. However, there's a lot of rural towns out in the east and not as much affluence. Hockey isn't played in as many high schools, so many people don't grow up with it, watch it, or talk about it.

The Islanders would be next, but the Isles fans are few and far between - mostly found in the southwest and among folks who would be Jets and Mets fans instead of Yankees and Giants fans. Maybe a few percent at most.

The Devils are a non-factor, about as popular as Toronto, Montreal, Philly, whatever.

If the Whalers came back to Hartford, it would be a relatively small market but one which has interest in hockey. If there was a new Hartford Civic Center, it should be roughly the size of Winnipeg's arena. It would take Hartford area fans away from the Rangers, and split the New Haven/Waterbury/Bridgeport with the Rangers.

Post by Boner on Mar 1, 2013 12:45:48 GMT -5

So, anyone care to discuss how the fuck the Habs are pulling this shit off? I know we're not even 1/2 way through the season, but this is completely unprecedented. Chicago being undefeated through 20 games is a historic achievement, but the team they have, I'm not overly surprised. Montreal has no business getting my hopes up this much! I can't even enjoy it while I have it, as I fully expect the all too familiar injury bug to destroy their line up, and the team to spiral out of playoff contention. I had my hopes set on a solid draft pick this year. I guess with Boston having 3 games in hand and only 1 point back, I shouldn't get too worked up just yet.

Post by tackitt on Mar 1, 2013 12:50:54 GMT -5

So, anyone care to discuss how the Quack the Habs are pulling this shiz off? I know we're not even 1/2 way through the season, but this is completely unprecedented. Chicago being undefeated through 20 games is a historic achievement, but the team they have, I'm not overly surprised. Montreal has no business getting my hopes up this much! I can't even enjoy it while I have it, as I fully expect the all too familiar injury bug to destroy their line up, and the team to spiral out of playoff contention. I had my hopes set on a solid draft pick this year. I guess with Boston having 3 games in hand and only 1 point back, I shouldn't get too worked up just yet.

As a Chicago fan, I have to admit, I was actually pretty surprised by all of this.

I the way they're playing right now, there's only 1 thing that going to cause a collapse. And that price getting injured, and even then, they seem to play well with out him. Sure I'm a little biased. But Therian has them playing into the system. Every player on the team has bought into it. And Toronto is having a good start, as was Ottawa until recently. The North East is not as weak as it appears on paper.

Post by Flanz on Mar 8, 2013 12:35:02 GMT -5

I the way they're playing right now, there's only 1 thing that going to cause a collapse. And that price getting injured, and even then, they seem to play well with out him. Sure I'm a little biased. But Therian has them playing into the system. Every player on the team has bought into it. And Toronto is having a good start, as was Ottawa until recently. The North East is not as weak as it appears on paper.

Original 6, man. I can't ever give the Habs credit for anything, you know that.

But I will say it's impressive the way he has them buying into the system. I saw the same thing happen in NY with Torts. You go from a laughable team with no real identity to a team that plays their system hard for all three periods.

I still think the Habs are going to take a tumble and end up in the 4-5 seed range, which is still really good compared to where they were last year.

Post by Boner on Mar 8, 2013 13:00:04 GMT -5

I'm inclined to agree with you, but fuck man, I was expecting them to be in the draft lottery by now. They're just that kind of team that can make a serious run at it. And if price can heat up like Halak did, well, I'll stop right there, as I'm clearly delusional. And thanks for letting Prust go. Nice of the rangers to let the Habs have one after the Gomez/McDonagh trade.

Post by Flanz on Mar 8, 2013 13:16:25 GMT -5

Haha yeah, we definitely owed you guys one. And I love Prusty, but he was too expensive. I definitely miss his insane style of play (like fighting Milan Lucic which looks like a dad fighting his son with the size difference), but the young guys needed their chance.

A hot goalie can make more of a difference in the playoffs than any single athlete in any other sport save quarterback...maybe. If Price decides to go Wayne Gretzky 3-D Hockey and morph into a brick wall? Who the hell knows.

Post by roonectar on Mar 14, 2013 20:05:41 GMT -5

but thats the thing i cant see price holding up under the type of pressure that comes along with a great playoff run. media gets all up in your shit every day; on top of being in a market like MTL, i just cant see it. proud bruins fan though so theres some history which probably sways my opinion from a fan outside of a rivalry like this

Post by Hakuna on Apr 7, 2013 10:15:00 GMT -5

This core Bruins team that has been around for the last 4 or 5 years has always played like garbage around March-April. 2 years ago they bounced back and got hot again at the right time. Last year they didnt. It's not even fun to watch, I haven't watched a game start to finish in weeks(I have center ice, so I'm essentially paying to watch these games too).

Post by Boner on Apr 7, 2013 10:37:12 GMT -5

The lockout settled our annual drought. December-January is usually when the Habs have fallen apart. Could explain a few things. It's been a long time since the Habs have played this solid. The only team in the east I'm afraid of is Pitts. Habs seem to have a David vs Goliath thing going with the bruins this year.

Post by LD on Apr 7, 2013 10:43:43 GMT -5

Thankfully the Bruins don't have to play Montreal again, and they're still only a few points behind.

The Bruins have nine losses in regulation, compared to the Habs eight. Of the nine: two to Buffalo (early), two to Pittsburgh, two to Montreal, and one each from Philly, Winnipeg, and Toronto. They've lost to the Habs in OT, the Rangers twice, and that embarrassing one in Washington a month ago.

I think the Bruins are going on the upswing after a lousy March. But they've been horrible on the Power Play for years. So seeing what happened last night, not a huge shocker. That's why they got Jagr, but you still can't win em all.

Getting into the playoffs, on the East side, the only teams I'd be afraid of are the Penguins and maybe the Habs. The Rangers are decent, but I can see Boston prevailing there. PIT and MTL would be harder.